Power-generating mechanism



Feb 9 was. 1 ,s12,57s

' J. F. THOMAS POWER GENERATING MECHANI SM Filed June 4 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmmtoq;

div/flea Fmamas Feb. 9', 192s. f' 1,572,578

- J. F. HOMAS POWER GENERATING MECHANISM Filed June 4, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9 1-926.

.J. F. THOMAS POWER GENERATING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet S Filed June 4 Qav/ muantoz 1/5/7768 Ffiamas Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

iUNlTED s'rn'gss PATENT orricn.

JAMES F. THOMAS, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA.

POWER-GENERATING MECHANISM.

Application filed June 4,

To all whom it may cone r71:

Be it known that 1, James F. a subject 0f the King of Great Britain, residing at Montreal, Province 0t Quebec. Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power- Genc'ating Mechanism, otwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanism particularly adapted for compressingair and incidentally heating Water for use in various capacities as a power generating me dium, or "for general compressed air and hot water service or supply, and the primary oh'ject'of the invention is to provide a THOMAS,

comparatively slmple organization of co operating elements of the rotative type disposed at different angles on a driven shaft and including gravitating means for operating pistons mounted in cylinders associated with each complete compressing unit, and also to operate the units in sequence to set up a constant supply of compressed air which is aggregated from all of the units and delivered to and from a conduit or pipe to any point of service that may he desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a inechanisinot the class specified comprising as a prime factor a compressing unit fixed to and rotatable with a driving shaft and having a dual compressing function in one complete revolution of the unit and shaft, and wherein all of the parts are so associated as to automatically and etcctively operate in the performance ot' air compression and discharge of the comprcs 1d a:. and utilization of the heat of the compressed air by radiation to raise the. temperature of Water for other uses and service. i

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the class specified that will effectively compress air and incidentally heat Water with a minimum amount of actuating power and a consequent minimum cost of fuel by producing an automatic operation through gravitating means for actuating the pistons of alternate 1v acting cylinders carried as a part of and rotating with each unit and wherein the cylinders have a self-charging and dischargmg operation.

A still further object of the invention is to minimize the friction of the actuating units or compressing means and so mount the latter as to set up a self-restoration to 1925. Serial N0. 34,962.

nin'nial starting position and in position for a continuous actuation of the distinct air compressing cylinders and pistons without requiring the least manual attention or use of complicated mechanism to control the regular action of the pistons and cylinders in the performance of their desired functions.

lVith the foregoing and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully her inatter described and claimed.

1n the drawings:

Fig. i is a side elevation of the improved mechanism, showing one unit in longitudinal vertical section and the shaft and a portion of the unit hubs in cross section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the improved F mechanism, showing the supporting means including a pit in section and also illustrating a portion of the driving mechanism for the main shaft of the improved device.

Fig. 3 is a side cle *ation of the intermediate body and-weight organization ot each unit and illustrating one of the side closure plates IBli'lO'VQLl and the Weight means in dotted lines. 1

Fig. 4; is a transverse vertical section the line t at, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion oi frame structure and one end ot one ot unit hubs.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation o't' one of the units with the compressing cylinder and piston removed and also the Weight and intermediate -frame organization. to particular ly illustrate the manner oi assembling the .iti-trictional attachment for the n'iovable parts.

is a longitudinal vertical section till? the Fig. 7 through one of the water heating attachments or gland elements.

The improved mechanism may be sup ported by any suitable means but is preterably mounted on a concrete orcement sup port 5 having a pit 6 termed therein of such dimensions as to accommodate the unrestricted rotation of the compressing units or elements, which will be hereinafter described. In suitable bearings 7 disposed on the support 5 a' tubular shaft 8 is mounted to rotate and has fixed thereto a gear 9. held in continual mesh with a drive gear 10 mounted on a shaft 11 driven from any suitable source of power. lhe gears 9 llh and 10 may be proportioned to produce the requisite rotation of the shaft 8 to the best advantage and this gear mechanism 18 illustrative of only one means by which the shaft 8 may be rotated, as it is obvious that other mechanism may be adopted atwill. ()n the shaft 8 in regular spaced relation are a plurality of air compressing units A B and U, all of duplicate construction or embody ing precisely the same features and all similarly operating. "l'hese compressing units as shown by l ig. l are disposed on the shait 8 at predetermined varying angles relatively to each other, and in lieu of three units A and C as shown, it is obvious that the number may be increased or decreased in accordance with the capacity of the improved mechanism that may be desired. Une of the units will be particularly described in detail and the remaining units will have similar reference characters applied to like parts. All of the units are secured to the shaft 8 by meansof hubs, generally designated by 12, and each comprising two sections 13 and 14, which have their inner ends abutting as shown by Fig. 6 and their outer ends flanged as at l5 f0r securing the same by any suitable fastening means as a unitary elongated sleeve struc- 7 ture over the shaft and thus reinforce the mounting of the units relatively to the shaft. The hubs are keyed to the shaft 8 by suitable grooves and keys, as at 16, Fig. 1, so that the said hubs will all equally rotate with the shaft 8. Extending centrally through the shaft 8 is a conduit or pipe 17, the said pipe being of less diameter than the interior diameter of the shaft 8, to provide 'an annular space 18 between the pipe and shaft.

Each unit comprises an intermediate or centrally located gravitating body generally designated by 19 and comprises upper and lower weight chambers 20 and 21, having therein lead or other weight lillings 22 and 23 and a central open space 24. having side plates 25, which are extended beyond the ends of the said body member as at 26 for a purpose which will be presently explained. The upper and lower weight chambers are enclosed by bottom and top plates 27-and 28 and the weight cliambcrsatthe ends have closures in the form of I-plates 2!), to maintain the'lead or other weight filling in place. The hub sections 12 and 13 of each unit extend transversely. through the centers of the open spaces 24, which may be termed a sliding chamber,. the entire body 9 having a sliding movement in opposite directions in accordance with the position of the latter during the rotation thereof. Withinihe opposite ends of the central slide chamber, which is lrmgitudinally straight, angle plate closures 3O arefixed, and within the outer recessed sides 31 of these closures beyond t-h rubber or other buffers 32 are suitably secured. WVithin the open space or slide chamber 24 close to the end closures are angular bearing brackets 33, preferably of.

the form shown by Fig. 1, and through the said closures 30 openings 34 are formed as clearly shown by Figs. 3 and 4, these openings 54 being in ings 85 formed in the cushions or butters The side plates 26' of the intermediate open space or slide chamber 24 are entended outwardly beyondthe ends of the said open space or chamber, and the intermediate body l!) at its central portion moves between the extensions of these plates. Secured to the plates 26' on opposite sides ofthe shaft 8 and the hub 12 are guides having opposite spaced side members 36, which are secured to the hub sections 13 and 14 and are connected at their upper and cross bolts or tie devices 37, to maintain the said side n1einbers 36 in accurate spaced relation. Between the upper and lower ends of the side members 36 of the guides and close to the ciinnecting or tie bolts 37 are anti-frictional. rollers 38, which engage the upper and lower plates of the weight chambers 20 and 21, weight chambers which de space or slide chamber 24 being out of contact with and freely movable over the hub sections 13 and 14, and by. means of these longitudinal shifting movemen't or sliding action of tlie intermediatebody19 is reduced to a minimum and the saidbody as a whole is given a sensitive always quickly responsive to sliding movemerit through gravitation when the said body and parts associated therewith are turned to cifienent angles by the rotation thereof with the shaft 8.

Theside plates 26 which e opposite maximum projecting terminals of the intermediate body 19 have mounted therebetween compressing cylinders 3!), which are hcldfixcd and each has a piston 40 mounted therein and connected to a piston rod 41 projecting through the inner open end of its cylinder and also thmugh the openings and 34 of the cushions or buffers 32 and end closure 30 of the central open space or slide chamber'24. The inner ends of the piston rods 40 are formed with joint heads 42, which are movably held between the bearing brackets 33 by pivot piiis 43. The inner ends of the cylinders -39 are equally spaced from each terminal of the intermediate sliding body or frame 15) and the limit of sliding movement of the said body in opposite directions is governed by the innor termination of the said'cylinders, the cushions or buffers 32 striking the inner ends of the cylinders when the intermediate body 19 reaches the limit of its movement in lower ends by central relation to opena the inner plates of these fine the open I operation, or is V project. or extend reverse directions. It will be understood that the pistons will be suitably packed or ringed to render the same air-tight relatively to the walls of the cylinders in which they work, and the said cylinders have outer closed ends 44 with separate .ports 45 and 46 therethrough, said ports being formed with suitable valve seats for an outwardly opening valve 47 and an inwardly opening valve 4:8, respectively operating with the ports 45 and a6 and having stems 49 mounted in suitable bearing devices 50 in chambers 51 of a head 52 secured to the outer closed end 4t oteach cylinder, the chambers 51 being provided by a central partition 53. The outer end of each head 52 has an air inlet port 5-4:, and connected to the remaining chamber of this particular head. is a discharge pipe 55, the two discharge pipes 55 from the opposite heads or the cylinders connecting with a central pipe 56 which extends through the hub 12 and shaft 8 and communicates with the pipe 17.

The shaft8 at its opposite extremities I 58 located a suitable J the gland passes through opposite gland means 57 and distance outside of the bearings- 7 for the said shaft, the gland means 57 being in the form of a water inlet and having a supply pipe 59 connected thereto, and. the gland 58 serving as a discharge or outlet means and having a discharge pipe 60 connected thereto. Adjacent means 57 the end of theshaft is closed by a suitable plug construction of a are all mounted on joint, the adjacent sides of it and the plate being recessed and corrug or body Giant tween which and water-tight character, as at 61, the opposite end of the shaft as at 62 being closed by any suitable means around the pipe 17, which continues outwardly at this extremity of the shaft and is'held by a suitable support 63. ,The gland means 57 and 58 and the support the main support 5 as shown by Fig. 2. Each gland means as shown by Fig. 7 has a central annular core l outer closing plates 65, be-

the body suitable packing material 66 is interposed to form a'tight the core or body gated, as at 67 and 68;to effectively lock or secure the packing 66 between the core or body {Stand the plate 65, the latter elements being secured as shown by cross bolts 69 and 70. {.Ifhe core or body 64 has a reduced annular' chamber 71 with a' port 7 2 extending outwardly'through the gland means and to which either the pipe 59 or 60 has communicat-ion. Each annular chamber 71 also has opening 73.

communication with the annular space or chamber 18 between the shafts 8and pipe 17- through the medium of a port or Water supplied through the 'pipe 59 of the gland means 57 will pass into, the annular chamber .18 of the shaft 8 around the pipe 17, and is v heated by the heat conducted from the pipe 17 and the compressed air passing through 60 to an point desired, it being understood that sair pipe may be projected away from theimproved mechanism any suitable distance for utilization of the heated water.

The several parts and the shapes thereof necessary in the construction of the improved mechanism as described. may be varied, and channel irons and parts of the latter will be utilized together with flat plates, all preterably of metal. and the structure of the sev-- eral parts will also be simplified as much as possible to reduce the cost of construction and assemblage of the parts, and furthermore. it-is intended to use fastening means for the several parts best adapted for the purpose and which will require the least amount of labor to apply the same. The packing 66, shnwn by Fig. 7 may not only be of a character to form a tight joint between the plates 65 and. the core or body (34, but may also be of a heat non-conducting character.especially in connection with the gland means 58 from which the heated water is discharged. u v

The operation of the improved mechanism is very simple. Power is transmitted through the shaft 11 to the gear 10 and from the latter gear to the gear 9 and the shaft 8 thereby rotated. The rotation of the shaft may be in either direction, or to the right or left, as the units A B and C will operate equally well in either direction specified. Assuming that the mechanism starts from the position shown by Fig. 1 and is rotated to the right, all, the units uniformly rotate and the unit A, for instance, gradually rises until it assumes an angle of inclination whereby the weight elements 20 will cause the intermediate body or "frame 19 to slide downwardly towards the right, thereby force. ing the piston d0 of the cylinder 39 at the. right into said cylinder and close the valve and its stem 48 and open the valve and its stem 47. and. what little air may be within the right cylinder .at the beginning of. the operation will be "forced outwardly into the pipe 55 and from the latter by way of the pipe 56 to the pipe 17. At the time this op eration of the cylinder at the right ensues, the same cylinder and piston organization at the left will. be reversely operated, or the piston 40 thereof will be drawn inwardly, thereby opening the valve and its stem l8 and closing the valve and its stem a7, and this left cylinder under this operative condition will be bliarged-with air through the port 54. Asthe sliding body 19 moves around to the right, the right-hand cushion or butter 32 will contact with the inner end.

' cylinder of the right cylinder and a'halt revolution of the body or frame 1!) with the cylinders and pistons will bring the right-hand E3!) to the left and that at the left to the right with the pistons in reverse posi-tions, or the right-hand piston 40 fully forced outwardly and the left-hand piston 0 15 shown by Fig. l tully drawn inwardly in its cylinder, and a continuance of the to tation will cause a reverse sliding action of the body or frame 1!) and .torce out'the piston :10 then at the right oi. the mechanism and draw the piston 40 at the left of the mechanism to charge the then left-hand cylinder and discharge the air from the then right-hand cylinder into the pipe so that in one complete revolution two compressing and charging actions are effected. This same operation proceeds ri-igularly' in the rcmaininn' units B and (l and all of the air drawn into the respective cylinders and dis' charged therefrom passes into the pipes and by way of the pipe 56 to the, central discharge pipe 17, and the. compression oi the air is cumulative within the pipe 1?". loin pression of the air ensues through thepipcs 55, 58 and ll the pipes 55 and 56 being reduced in diameter or rendered comparatively small so as to create a friction as well as a close confinement of the air discharged from the, cylinders into the said pipes, and this friction will obviously generate heat and the heat radiated from taken up by the water surroundingthe lab ter pipe in the chamber 18 formed by maltlng the shaft 8 hollow or tuhular, and when the water so heated is discharged through the gland means 58 by way of the pipe 60, it will have had consideraliile heat imparted thereto, or will have taken up the heat from the pipe 1?, and may be used in various ways, such as heated feed water for a boiler or for general heatingpurposes tlnrough circulating pipes. The compressed air discharged through the pipe. I? will lie. coir veyed to a suitable tlllllfi in which the air may he stored and utilized as desired, or the said. pipe 17 may extend and be connected to any suitable apparatus where the use of compressed air is desirable. lly disposing the several units A ii and C at ditlerent angles on the shaft 8 through the hubs 12,. a continuous flow of compressed air will enter the pipe 17, the amount being dependent upon the speed of rotation of the shaft 8, and turthernmre, the, operation of the shaft will be facilitated or greatly assisted by the momentum of said units, and such governing mechanism as may, be necessary will he used to control the speed 0t rotation of the shaft 8, and any other controlling accessories Or devices that may be necessary and well known in the art may he adopted to ohtain the heel: results. The operation of the PlSLOHE 40 in the several cylthe oi e 17 will be tren'iities thereof.

iiulcrs at the ends, oi the units will not inter- 'l'ere with the operal ion of the said units, and the con'ipressing force on the pistons will obviously be regulated and controlled by th weight of the-intermediate sliding bodies or frames 19. The cushions of buffers 32 will regularly operate against the inner ends of the cylinders 39 to check thomovement of the intcrmesiate bodies or frames 19 and eliminate shock and jar as well as wear on the engaging parts, and as found necessary these cushions may be replaced by similar devices when w in and may he of any di mensions best adapted for the purpose.

ll'hat claimed as new is: l. in a mechanism of the class Specified, a rotatable shaft, :1 compressingunit mounted on and rotatable with the shaft and having; an intermediate weighted slidahle body which is free to move in reverse longitudinal direct ons and compres lug cylinders at upliositeends n fixed re lion to the shaft the cyl nders lhillg proiided with intake and discharge valves working in reverse di1'cctions, pistons connected to opposite ends of the aid body and movahle in the cylinders, pipe coi'n'ieetions at the outer ends of the cylinders, and a main discharge pipe exten ling; through the shaft and to which the said pipe connections are connected, the shaft having water receiving and discharging means mnmnunicating with opposite eX-' 2. In FlltClllllllSlTl of the class specified,

rotatable shaft having an air pipe exuding therethiough, a compressing unit mounted on and rotatable with the shalt and having compressing devices at opposite, ends and an intern'iediate reversely long'zitudiually slidable weighted body having the opposite ends thereof 'connectml to and actuating the compress ng dcvie s, and pipe connections between the. con'ipressing dcviees and the pipe extending throi the shall. the shaft havingwater receiving; and

discharging means coinnninicating with up posite extremities thereof.

23. In a mechanism at the class specified, a rotatable shaft of tubular form, an air pipe extending through the said shaft and beyond one extremity of the latter, a compressing unit mounted on and rotatable with the shalt and having air compressing devices at opposite extremities held in fixed relation, and a weighted revcrscly sliding body between said compressing devices and con nected to a part of the latter for reversely' chargingthe said devices with air and also reversely discharging air therefrom, the said devices being connected by pipes to the pipe extending through the shaft. the shaft haring water receiving and discharging means communicating with opposite extremities thereof. l

4. In a mechanism of the class'specificd, a

riii

v i I a i, if It LJiilkillllfi tubular shaft hyving an air pipe compress charges of air/and dell ver the same extending thercthrough H ltl beyond one end into the pipe ektcndin i' through the shaft. of the same, an annular chamber being 7. In a mechanism bf the class specified, formed between the said pipe and the shaft, a rotatable shaft hav ng an air conveying an air compressing unit mounted on and roconduit extending theretln-ough, \vatcr,sup- 50 tatable with the shaft/and having air coinply anddiscliarge means at opposite ends pressing means at opposite extremities in thereof, the shaft being rotatable around eluding pistons, 21 reversely sliding weighted said conduit, and an -air compressing unit body between the said devices andjhaving mounted on and rotatable with the shaft the pistons connected thereto, pipe connecand havingmeans for compressing air, the 55 tions between the said devices and; the pipe air conveying conduit extending fully and extending through-"the shaft, and \vater-reunobstructedly through the entire length" of ceiving and discharging; gland" means comthe shaft and a pipe connection between the municating with opposite extremities of the said means and the pipe extending through tubular shaft and the chamber in. the latter the shaft. around the pipe extending through said 8. In a mechanism ofthe class specified,- shaft. I I i the combination of a rotatable shaft having 5. In a mechanisin'of the class specified, afixed conduit means extending fully thererotatable shaft having a pipe extending through,acomprossing' unit mounted on and therethrough, and beyond one end of the rotatable with the shaft and having auto- 5 same, a. plurality of compressing units matically operating means for compressing mounted at different angles on and rotig air and including air-compressing cylinders able with the shaft, the coi'npressing uni! andpistons at opposite ends in fixed spaced being spaced apart loi'igitudinally of tlie iielation and'an intermediate reversely longishaft and each unit having con'ipressing dc tudi-nally sl'idable weighted body connected 70 vices at opposite ends and an intermdiate to tlie said pistonstheopposite ends of the weighted body freely slidablef in reverse. weighted bodyand the inner ends of the longitudinal directions and connected and cylinders being in longitudinal alinen'icat,

a ctuatmg part of the said compressing deand pipe connections between the said cylin vices to alternately charge the" said devices tiers and the conduit extending through the 7 with air and discharge air therefrom, and shaft.

pipe connections between the said devices 9. Ina mechanism of the class specified,

and the pipe extending through the shaft; a rotatable shaft having a fixed air conduit 6.' In .a mechanism of the class specified, extending fully .tlierethrough, a plurality of a rotatable shaft having a compressed air air-compressing units mounted on the shaft 0 a conduit extending therethrough, the shaft and rotatable therewith andspaccd apart-at rotating around the said conduit and a ditferent angles throughout the length of plurality of air compressing unitsmounted the shaft, the said air conduit serving as a on the shaft at dilferent relative angles and common dischargemeans for all of the comrotatable with the said shaft, the'compresspressing units and'pipe connecting means :ing units being regularly spaced apart between the several units and die conduit exlongitudinally of the shaft, the compressing tendingthrough the shaft. units having distinct pipe means connected In testimony whereof I have I hereunto 'thereto and to the pipe extending through set my hand.

1 the shaft, the units acting "-in sequence to JAMES F; THOMAS. 

